Core balance physical training platform

ABSTRACT

The core balance physical training platform has an inflatable bladder with a flexible, horizontal top surface and sidewalls, conducive for stepping exercises. The device can be used for other exercises involving standing, sitting, or laying on the device. The device allows for performance of cardiovascular activities, proprioception or balance training, and physical therapy.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to, but does not claim priority to U.S. Ser. No. 12/931,876 filed on Feb. 14, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to physical fitness and exercise systems. More specifically, the invention discloses a device for physical fitness that provides for a proprioceptive training element to activities such as, but not limited, to step aerobics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Step aerobics is a specialized form of aerobic physical fitness training, which is characterized by its use of an elevated platform or step. Typically, a step consists of a hard, inflexible, flat surface on a stable, immobile base. In operation, a person performing the exercise, in a generally standing position, simply steps on the device and raises her or his body, generally engaging different muscles from the lower body.

Another form of exercise is proprioception training, which involves balancing on typically, a semi-circular inflated device. Proprioception training can improve muscle coordination and kinesthetic awareness. The benefits can also range from improving strength, flexibility, to reducing the occurrence of injury in athletes. For those with compromised physical ability or requiring rehabilitation, proprioception training can help regain physical skill and fitness for daily activities, such as simply walking across a floor without falling or turning an ankle

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,494,446 B2 to Weck et al. (‘Weck’) discloses a device for proprioception training in the form of a semi-circular inflated device. Standing on the apex of the unstable bladder (Weck FIG. 1) allows for challenging a user's balance. However, by having an apex (Weck FIG. 1), the footprint is limited, making the device less suitable for cardiovascular activities such as step exercise. Where cardiovascular activities such as aerobics may require focus away from the device and towards an instructor, the apex (Weck FIG. 1) may be difficult to locate, and thus pose an increased chance of ankle injury. Also, the apex shape requires considerable skill to maintain a neutral ankle position, which can render the device less suitable for some forms of physical therapy.

Other references disclose an inflatable element to devices designed for exercise activities such as step aerobics.

US 2007/0087902 A1 (Penat) teaches a device for cardiovascular activity and proprioception (Penat para [0011]), by using a dual-sided form, where one side is “considerably rigid” and the other side has an inflatable flexible element (Penat para [0012]). Penat attempts to solve the limitation of Weck for cardiovascular exercise by teaching the use of a rigid side for “working the physical condition in general and aerobic and cardio areas specifically” and using an inflatable flexible element side for carrying out exercises “to improve balance, proprioception and coordination,” (Penat para [0010]). Penat explicitly teaches away use of the inflatable flexible ball-type surfaces for exercises requiring standing (“users cannot do exercises standing up,” Penat para [0003]). At best, Penat suggests the inflatable flexible side as appropriate for balance and “gentile cardio” (Penat para [0022]). Penat does not teach using the inflatable flexible side for more active cardio such as step exercises, consistent with its intention to utilize a rigid side for “working the physical condition” and the flexible side for improving “balance” (Penat para [0010]).

US 2010/0087299 A1 (Babiarz) teaches an exercise device utilizing inflation (Babiarz FIG. 1). Utilizing an inflatable structure, Babiarz teaches a generally flat top surface (Babiarz FIG. 1) allowing for a neutral ankle position during exercise, and deformation of structural shape during use (Babiarz para [0007]). However, Babiarz teaches the inflatable structure as providing the benefits of accommodating storage (Babiarz para [0015]) and for user comfort without stressing lower leg structures (Babiarz para [0015]). Babiarz further teaches away generally from having the surface instability in devices such as that disclosed by Weck (Babiarz para [0008]). Because of the emphasis on user comfort, lowering stress on the lower leg structures, and teaching away from device instability, Babiarz offers at best, limited support if not a teaching away from adding proprioception training to step exercise.

The inflatable elements of Penat and Babiarz address some of the drawbacks of conventional step exercises devices. Despite the health benefits of step exercise, such as cardiovascular conditioning and improved strength, there can be drawbacks to the joints. Specifically, the use of rigid, hard steps can impart physical shock to the knees, ankles, hips and possibly other joints of the body. As a result, some users experience soreness, stiffness, and possibly inflammation in the joints affected by the exercise. Penat and Babiarz appear to address these issues with inflatable and/or foam elements. While these devices provide the rigidity, shape, and stability in a platform for step aerobics, they offer limited challenge to the user's balance and core muscles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form of the invention, the device can be used for step aerobic exercise or similar exercises. The device offers a molded, inflatable bladder with a flexible top surface. The bladder can be filled with air or other gaseous composition as well as liquid compositions, such as but not limited to water. The bladder, when filled, maintains flexibility so that the top and sides bend and flex when engaged in exercise. In contrast, prior disclosure U.S. Ser. No. 12/931,876 is directed to a device with rigid sidewalls.

The bladder can be generally the shape of a parallelepiped, the bladder having a top, a bottom, and four sidewalls. The bladder can range in height from approximately six inches to one foot above the floor. In other forms, the bladder can be modified in height to make the bladder more suitable for different exercises or simply to accommodate differing heights among users. In one form, the bladder is molded so that the bottom is both flat and rigid, in order for the bladder to make stable contact with the floor. The bladder, by making stable contact with the floor, helps keeps the device from sliding when in use.

The top, while generally flat, is rounded at the upper corners. The top and sidewalls deflect upon contact by a user's foot during step aerobics, causing instability, in order to activate more muscle groups thereby allowing for improved core muscle and balance training. A further advantage of the top being generally flat as opposed to having an apex is a lower potential for ankle or lower leg injuries, as there is less range of lateral bending when compared to a peaked and rounded inflated surface in other devices, when applied in an activity such as step aerobics. As a result, the invention realizes an added advantage of being useful for physical therapy and other activities whereby a user may have a compromised or lessened degree of physical ability.

The sidewalls can feature a flexible rib structure, which supports a generally rectangular top surface shape with an unstable surface. The rib structure can further minimize horizontal sway of the bladder during use, while helping a user maintain a generally neutral ankle position during an activity such as step exercise.

In another form, the device can include a stability ring affixed to the perimeter of the bladder bottom. The stability ring can increase the rigidity and stability of the device without sacrificing the cushioning effect or the balancing aspects of the invention. In yet another form, the stability ring provides for rope locks, whereby exercise ropes can be affixed to the stability ring to add resistance to the activity performed. Additionally, the device can include a bottom support mat, the bottom support mat capable of being placed under the bladder in order to provide additional non-slip properties on surfaces such as carpeting or foam exercise matting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in one form.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another form, having a stability ring.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one-half of a disassembled stability ring.

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the form in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the form in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the form in FIG. 2 during use.

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the form in FIG. 2 during use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the invention in one form, comprising an inflatable or fillable, bladder (1). The bladder (1) is molded with reinforcements at the corners (3) and reinforcements along the edges (4) so that it substantially maintains its form when inflated or filled, and when pressure is exerted on the top (5) of the bladder (1). The bladder material can be composed of vinyl, elastomer, PVC, or other suitable material that allows for burst resistance and flexibility of material when device is engaged in exercise. Additionally, the bladder can also feature an inflation valve to increase the inflation pressure in order to increase the tension of the semi-rigid top surface.

The bladder (1) can be secured to the stability ring (2) to lessen the degree of instability and improve contact with the ground for added support, as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the bladder can be molded with flexible ribs (11), the ribs providing advantages realized during use in exercise. The flexible ribs help maintain a generally rectangular shape of the top surface and minimize bladder sway during use, both of which serve to promote a neutral ankle position and lessen the chance for injury. At the same time, the flexible ribs allow for a generally unstable surface conducive to proprioception training The bladder further allows for attachments, such as a set of four protruding extensions (17) from the stability ring (2) in which notched rope locks (18) are present. The rope locks (18) are intended to allow a user to attach or loop various exercise devices to the invention to augment the exercises that can be performed with the invention, such as adding resistance. 

I claim:
 1. A physical training device comprising: a bladder, the bladder having a top, a bottom, and four sidewalls, the bladder having a parallelepiped shape, the bladder further comprising: the top having a flexible surface lying in a horizontal plane; the bottom lying in a horizontal plane, the bladder bottom coming into contact with a floor surface; the sidewalls connected to the top with reinforced, rounded corners, the sidewalls being substantially in a vertical orientation; the sidewalls having flexible ribs, the ribs supporting the top, the ribs helping minimize transverse and tortional sway of the bladder when the bladder is engaged in exercise; the ribs allowing for generally unstable surface conducive to proprioception exercise training; a stability ring adapted to secure around the bladder bottom, the stability ring adding rigidity and stability to the bladder; the stability ring further comprising rope locks adapted to accommodate ropes or bands to facilitate the addition of resistance to physical training.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the bladder is molded as one piece.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the bladder bottom is substantially rigid.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the bladder is inflatable.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the bladder is filled with a gas.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the bladder is filled with air.
 7. The device of claim 2, wherein the bladder is filled with a liquid.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the liquid is water.
 9. The device of claim 6, wherein the bladder has an inflation valve so that the internal bladder pressure can be increased in order to increase the rigidity of the top of the bladder.
 10. The device of claim 6, further comprising a bottom support mat, the mat allowing for non-slip use of the device on surfaces carpeting, hardwood, linoleum, concrete, rubber exercise matting, and foam exercise flooring.
 11. The device of claim 6, wherein the stability ring further comprises: a male connector and a female connector, so that the connection of the male connector and the female connector form a closed stability ring, allowing for the stability ring to secure around the bladder bottom.
 12. The stability ring of claim 11, wherein the stability ring has a substantially rectangular shape.
 13. A core balance training platform comprising: a bladder, the bladder having a top, a bottom, and four sidewalls, the bladder having a parallelepiped shape, the bladder further comprising: the top having a horizontal, flexible surface that is flat when not in use; the bottom lying in a horizontal plane, the bottom capable of coming into contact with a floor surface and providing substantial resistance against slipping on flooring; the sidewalls molded to the top with reinforced, rounded corners, the sidewalls being in a substantially vertical orientation; the sidewalls having flexible ribs, the ribs providing structural support to the top while allowing for compression when a user is actively engaging the device in exercise;
 15. The device of claim 14, further comprising: a stability ring adapted to secure around the bladder bottom, the stability ring adding rigidity and stability to the bladder; the stability ring further comprising rope locks adapted to accommodate ropes or bands to facilitate the addition of resistance to physical training.
 16. The device of claim 16, further comprising: a bottom support mat, the bottom support mat capable of being placed under the bladder in order to provide additional non slip properties on surfaces such as carpeting or foam exercise matting.
 17. The device of claim 13, further comprising: a stability ring adapted to secure around the bladder bottom, the stability ring adding rigidity and stability to the bladder; the stability ring further comprising rope locks adapted to accommodate ropes or bands to facilitate the addition of resistance to physical training.
 18. The device of claim 17, further comprising: a bottom support mat, the bottom support mat capable of being placed under the bladder in order to provide additional non-slip properties on surfaces such as carpeting or foam exercise matting. 